By: Dr. Nicole G. Nalbandian (DDS, MS)
September 27, 2024
Imagine a world where you still use dial-up when you have the option for high speed WiFi. Imagine that you still use a black and white flip phone instead of the latest I phone (or, for people like me, the latest and greatest Samsung Galaxy phone). IMAGINE, you still watch movies on VHS instead of streaming them in HD quality.
This is how your dentist feels about you opting to use a manual toothbrush rather than an electric toothbrush.
If you ask me, manual toothbrushes should be considered antiques. They should exist only in museums to be admired as a thing of the past right next to your old Nokia phone.
Why are electric toothbrushes superior to manual toothbrushes?
- Pressure sensor: Electric toothbrushes come with pressure sensors that tell you when you are brushing your teeth too hard. If you are not careful, this can lead to serious gum recession.
- Timers: We all know we need to be brushing our teeth for 2 full minutes, but do we actually do it? An electric toothbrush has an inherent timer which holds us accountable to a full two minutes of brushing.
- Precise movements: The motions of an electric toothbrush head are precise and specifically designed to remove the most amount of plaque possible. Electric toothbrushes have been proven to remove up to 500x more plaque than a manual toothbrush.
- Toothbrush head size: The average size of an electric toothbrush head is smaller and more maneuverable into hard to reach crevices of the mouth. These are areas that often get skipped when using a manual toothbrush simply because a manual toothbrush can’t reach all the way back there.
Which electric toothbrush should I buy?
Dr. Nalbandian’s top picks (based on research and clinical trials)
- Sonicare by Phillips
- Oral B
Both of these brands have different tiers of toothbrushes ranging from $30 to $380 and up. My advice to you, don’t fall for the gimmick. Unless you need your toothbrush to have advanced Bluetooth capability and app connectivity, go with the cheaper option. IT DOES THE SAME THING! Most people avoid getting an electric toothbrush because of the cost. I am here to tell you that even the cheapest electric toothbrush will do a better job than your fancy manual toothbrush.
SO. If you want to walk around with a bunch of plaque on your teeth, make sure you keep using the old manual toothbrush. If you are ready to experience a superior toothbrushing experience, retire your old toothbrush and upgrade to an electric toothbrush. Your teeth, gums, and dentist will thank you.
Cheers!
Dr. Nicole G. Nalbandian
~Elevate your standard for oral health~
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DR. NICOLE G. NALBANDIAN
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